UAVs and UCAVs
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LETHALFORCE
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Re: Israel's IAI 'wins $958M India drone deal'
we probably have every UAV israel makes at this point? Heron,Harop and searcher?
we probably have every UAV israel makes at this point? Heron,Harop and searcher?
LETHALFORCE
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Israel unveils Flying Elephant, other UAVs
Israel unveils Flying Elephant, other UAVs
Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems have unveiled the upgraded Shoval unmanned aerial vehicle for maritime surveillance and the Flying Elephant, which can carry a payload of 1 ton of supplies for frontline combat troops.
These UAVs, along with an upgraded version of the giant Eitan, or Steadfast, surveillance UAV also built by IAI that was launched Aug. 14, underline Israel's growing strength in the unmanned aircraft field amid advances in Iran's drive to develop robotic forces.
An Israeli air force F-16I shot down an Iranian-built Hezbollah UAV Oct. 6 over the Negev Desert near the Dimona nuclear reactor after it penetrated 25 miles inside the Jewish state.
The incident jolted Israel and was widely seen as a warning from Iran, via Hezbollah, that it has the technological and operational capabilities to threaten the Jewish state.
Israeli concerns were heightened after Iran's air defense commander, Big. Gen. Farzad Esmaili, announced the development of a new long-range bomb-carrying drone, the Hazem, Sunday.
He didn't specify whether the UAV can reach Israel.
The first long-range UAV built by Iran, the Karrar, or Striker, unveiled in August 2010, can supposedly carry four cruise missiles, two 250-pound bombs or one 500-pound precision-guided munition.
It has a reported range of 620 miles -- not enough to target the Jewish state.
The Shoval was rolled out by state-owned IAI Sunday while the prototype of the Flying Elephant, considered a technological breakthrough for supplying ground forces in the battlefield, was first shown a few days earlier in central Israel by Elbit Systems.
The new and improved version of the Shoval carries four surveillance cameras instead of one.
That makes it a key development in Israel's unfolding plans to protect its rich, and highly strategic, natural gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean that will make the state self-sufficient in energy for decades to come.
The production platforms and other infrastructure are seen as key targets for Iranian missiles or suicide attacks by Hezbollah, Iran's prize proxy based in Lebanon, within easy strike range of the gas fields.
This comes hard on the heels of IAI's recent relaunch of the Israeli air force's most advanced UAV, the Heron TP, known as the Eitan, capable of reaching Iran and staying in the air for 35 hours.
The Eitan program was grounded for seven months after one of the 5-ton drones, the largest UAV in the air force inventory, crashed during a flight testing new payloads in late January.
Much has been made of the Eitan's ability to reach Iran, although the Israelis have divulged almost nothing about what its missions might be over the Islamic Republic beyond surveillance.
That in itself is a major achievement. The Eitan would be able to widen Israel's surveillance capabilities, which currently are provided by the Ofek series of spy satellites concentrated on Iran's nuclear program.
The latest, Ofek 9, was launched June 22, 2010, from Palmachim air force base south of Tel Aviv. Like its predecessors, Ofek 9 was built by IAI, with Elbit Systems' El-Op division providing the optical payload.
However, the $5 million state-of-the-art Eitan, as the long arm of the Israeli air force, is widely believed to have been used in early 2011 to carry out missile attacks on convoys carrying Iranian arms across Sudan bound for the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israel is a world leader in developing advanced UAV, along with the United States, and is now the largest exporter of unmanned systems.
The Globes business daily observed that "the air force has been expanding its UAV fleet and missions for years, which now carry out a quarter of all missions -- a proportion that's likely to grow."
Eitan became operational with the air force in 2010 and three squadrons are now reported to be equipped with it.
The Flying Elephant's still under development. The system, silent and guided by a GPS system, is due to be operational within 4-5 years.
"Logistics UAVs are intended as a response to the rising threat faced by pilots ferrying and parachuting supplies to combat troops as well as a response to the difficulty in opening ground routes for trucks carrying supplies to the forces in the field," Globes reported.
Israel unveils Flying Elephant, other UAVs
Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems have unveiled the upgraded Shoval unmanned aerial vehicle for maritime surveillance and the Flying Elephant, which can carry a payload of 1 ton of supplies for frontline combat troops.
These UAVs, along with an upgraded version of the giant Eitan, or Steadfast, surveillance UAV also built by IAI that was launched Aug. 14, underline Israel's growing strength in the unmanned aircraft field amid advances in Iran's drive to develop robotic forces.
An Israeli air force F-16I shot down an Iranian-built Hezbollah UAV Oct. 6 over the Negev Desert near the Dimona nuclear reactor after it penetrated 25 miles inside the Jewish state.
The incident jolted Israel and was widely seen as a warning from Iran, via Hezbollah, that it has the technological and operational capabilities to threaten the Jewish state.
Israeli concerns were heightened after Iran's air defense commander, Big. Gen. Farzad Esmaili, announced the development of a new long-range bomb-carrying drone, the Hazem, Sunday.
He didn't specify whether the UAV can reach Israel.
The first long-range UAV built by Iran, the Karrar, or Striker, unveiled in August 2010, can supposedly carry four cruise missiles, two 250-pound bombs or one 500-pound precision-guided munition.
It has a reported range of 620 miles -- not enough to target the Jewish state.
The Shoval was rolled out by state-owned IAI Sunday while the prototype of the Flying Elephant, considered a technological breakthrough for supplying ground forces in the battlefield, was first shown a few days earlier in central Israel by Elbit Systems.
The new and improved version of the Shoval carries four surveillance cameras instead of one.
That makes it a key development in Israel's unfolding plans to protect its rich, and highly strategic, natural gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean that will make the state self-sufficient in energy for decades to come.
The production platforms and other infrastructure are seen as key targets for Iranian missiles or suicide attacks by Hezbollah, Iran's prize proxy based in Lebanon, within easy strike range of the gas fields.
This comes hard on the heels of IAI's recent relaunch of the Israeli air force's most advanced UAV, the Heron TP, known as the Eitan, capable of reaching Iran and staying in the air for 35 hours.
The Eitan program was grounded for seven months after one of the 5-ton drones, the largest UAV in the air force inventory, crashed during a flight testing new payloads in late January.
Much has been made of the Eitan's ability to reach Iran, although the Israelis have divulged almost nothing about what its missions might be over the Islamic Republic beyond surveillance.
That in itself is a major achievement. The Eitan would be able to widen Israel's surveillance capabilities, which currently are provided by the Ofek series of spy satellites concentrated on Iran's nuclear program.
The latest, Ofek 9, was launched June 22, 2010, from Palmachim air force base south of Tel Aviv. Like its predecessors, Ofek 9 was built by IAI, with Elbit Systems' El-Op division providing the optical payload.
However, the $5 million state-of-the-art Eitan, as the long arm of the Israeli air force, is widely believed to have been used in early 2011 to carry out missile attacks on convoys carrying Iranian arms across Sudan bound for the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israel is a world leader in developing advanced UAV, along with the United States, and is now the largest exporter of unmanned systems.
The Globes business daily observed that "the air force has been expanding its UAV fleet and missions for years, which now carry out a quarter of all missions -- a proportion that's likely to grow."
Eitan became operational with the air force in 2010 and three squadrons are now reported to be equipped with it.
The Flying Elephant's still under development. The system, silent and guided by a GPS system, is due to be operational within 4-5 years.
"Logistics UAVs are intended as a response to the rising threat faced by pilots ferrying and parachuting supplies to combat troops as well as a response to the difficulty in opening ground routes for trucks carrying supplies to the forces in the field," Globes reported.
Re: KAI developing 'suicide combat UAV'
what targets it can attack?Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is developing a new long-range guided weapon that can cruise to a location before loitering and attacking when a target is identified.
The system is called "Devil Killer" and has a maximum speed that ranges between 189-216kt (350-400km/h), says KAI. It navigates using GPS and a data link, and the company refers to it as a "suicide combat unmanned air vehicle".
"After [the Devil Killer] moves to the target point along the pre-programmed route, which is designated with navigation points, the operator can identify targets through the forward-looking camera image and then commence either a manual or automatic strike," says KAI.
The system is powered by an electric motor and weighs 25kg (55lb), with a length of 1.5m (4.92ft). Details of its explosive payload, endurance and range are confidential.
If a target is not identified, the system can be retrieved and re-used. At present, the company is focusing on a surface-launched version, but eventually, it hopes to develop an air-launched variant.
The company aims to pitch the system to the South Korean armed forces and foreign buyers.
KAI'S "DEVIL KILLER," THE SUICIDAL DRONE
KAI developing 'suicide combat UAV'
LETHALFORCE
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Re: KAI developing 'suicide combat UAV'
Radar,ordanance warehouses,fuel storage,bunkers,SAM positions etc...
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^^ Perfect for the Pindi HQ's 
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IAI upgrades its Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV for Israeli Navy
Monday, 15 October 2012 17:41
a
Naval Forces News - Israel
IAI upgrades its Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV for Israeli Navy
Israel on Sunday unveiled an enhanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for maritime and air surveillance that allows faster and more precise identification of objects.
The drone, called Heron 1 (Shoval), will help improve Israel's Naval and Air Force's recognition of unknown or hostile ships and aircraft even if they are 300 km away, with a radar that can reach Turkey, Cyprus or Egypt
.
IAI Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV
These upgrades on the Shoval drone were showcased by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, Ynet News site reported.
"The system can inquire and intercept any object within just a few minutes," an IAI official told the newspaper on Sunday, after the Shoval drone had concluded a demonstration in which the new cameras captured every detail of a ship sailing the Mediterranean.
"The Shoval has satellite communication abilities, which means any footage it takes will be broadcasted online to distant location like Paris," the official said.
[video=youtube_share;wvp_EcHje2Q]http://youtu.be/wvp_EcHje2Q[/video]
The older model, officials said, had only one camera on its bottom and its radar did not have such long-range. The upgraded Shoval will help Israel identify any suspicious vessel, cargo or aircraft on the Mediterranean.
IAI unveiled the new Shoval drone only a week after a Israel's Air Force jets shot down a rogue drone that entered southern Israeli airspace, apparently in an attempted surveillance mission.
Hezbollah claimed ownership of the drone a few days later, stating that its reconnaissance mission over Israel had been successful.
The drone penetrated into Israel's airspace from the Mediterranean Sea near the Gaza Strip. A fighter jet fired two missiles at the drone, the second one shooting it down over the northern Negev desert.
IAI upgrades its Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV for Israeli Navy
Monday, 15 October 2012 17:41
a
Naval Forces News - Israel
IAI upgrades its Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV for Israeli Navy
Israel on Sunday unveiled an enhanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for maritime and air surveillance that allows faster and more precise identification of objects.
The drone, called Heron 1 (Shoval), will help improve Israel's Naval and Air Force's recognition of unknown or hostile ships and aircraft even if they are 300 km away, with a radar that can reach Turkey, Cyprus or Egypt
.
IAI Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV
These upgrades on the Shoval drone were showcased by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, Ynet News site reported.
"The system can inquire and intercept any object within just a few minutes," an IAI official told the newspaper on Sunday, after the Shoval drone had concluded a demonstration in which the new cameras captured every detail of a ship sailing the Mediterranean.
"The Shoval has satellite communication abilities, which means any footage it takes will be broadcasted online to distant location like Paris," the official said.
[video=youtube_share;wvp_EcHje2Q]http://youtu.be/wvp_EcHje2Q[/video]
The older model, officials said, had only one camera on its bottom and its radar did not have such long-range. The upgraded Shoval will help Israel identify any suspicious vessel, cargo or aircraft on the Mediterranean.
IAI unveiled the new Shoval drone only a week after a Israel's Air Force jets shot down a rogue drone that entered southern Israeli airspace, apparently in an attempted surveillance mission.
Hezbollah claimed ownership of the drone a few days later, stating that its reconnaissance mission over Israel had been successful.
The drone penetrated into Israel's airspace from the Mediterranean Sea near the Gaza Strip. A fighter jet fired two missiles at the drone, the second one shooting it down over the northern Negev desert.
IAI upgrades its Maritime Heron 1 (Shoval) UAV for Israeli Navy
average american
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The Navy's New BAMS Drone Sees Everything That's Happening In The Persian Gulf [Presentation]
Robert Johnson|Oct. 15, 2012, 7:27 PM|16,399|6 While visiting the Persian Gulf last month for an international mine clearing exercise it was mentioned that the whole area was under constant surveillance by a Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) drone.
The BAMS offers a 360-degree scanning ability with an Automatic Identification System that clocks and catalog's all surface vessels from 60,000 feet.
If the BAMS truly is flying above the Gulf it's early, not having been pegged for regular duty until 2015, but that's what I heard.
In addition to the high altitude scanning, the USS Ponce also uses the Scan Eagle drone system that can zoom in on individuals in small boats from several thousand feet in the air.
Its my understanding there two of the drones over the gulf and that the US has 70,000 full or part time people interpreting data from drones world wide.
Read more: The MQ-C4 drone's capabilities from a Northrop Grumman presentation - Business Insider
MQ-4C BAMS Triton Specs:
Wingspan - 130.9 feet (39.9 meters)
Length - 47.6 feet (14.5 meters)
Height - 15.3 feet (4.7 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight - 32,250 pounds (14,628.4 kilograms)
Maximum Range - 9,950 nautical miles (18,427 kilometers)
Maximum Speed - 310 KTS (357 MPH)
Maximum Operating Altitude - 60,000 feet (18,288 meters)
BAMS Drone Mission
This is the first long duration drone to specifically focus on the maritime environment.
With a mission duration of thirty hours the crew of four ground based operators will hand off operations several times while the platform remains on station.
In addition to those operators who fly the aircraft there are others who monitor the real time sensor data captured by the BAMS itself.
BAMS stands for Broad Area Maritime Surveillance and they do mean broad. According to the Navy the aircraft can survey more than 2.7 million square miles (4.35 million Sq KM) per mission.
A wide variety of data can be collected by the sensor package. The most specialized component is the maritime radar system.
Maritime Radar
Maritime radars are notorious for persistent background noise from surface reflections. Vessels of interest might only measure a few feet taller than the height of waves in some situations. Additionally wind and spray can be detrimental to images from radars used for land operations.
Land based radar has a longer wavelength because surrounding terrain is widely variable in it's reflectivity. The maritime environment has much less variability so a shorter wavelength is generally used to achieve better penetration of the target area.
The tradeoff for using a shorter wavelength is less resolution overall but with much less susceptibility to reflective noise.
To make up for lack of definition there is a type of electronic focusing system for radar called synthetic aperture radar or SAR.
SAR will allow a narrowed field of view for the radar without loss of definition. It's similar to zooming in on an electronic image but without seeing the pixel blur associated with strong magnification.
When searching for asymmetrical threats, like pirate skiffs or small smuggling boats, the system must recognize small wooden vessels with minimal radar reflection.
Electro-Optical Imaging
The optical portion of the sensor package is more traditional like other UAV's. Image recognition algorithms do much of the automated work of searching with human intervention only when necessary.
Infrared sensors are also part of this package and are very valuable because of the even temperature of most surface waters. Even small objects like a overboard sailor are very apparent. Search and rescue has made great use of this technology which takes advantage of temperature differences to highlight targets.
Infrared can also give excellent data for the main mission of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). A vessel with a warm engine is easily identified among others and on deck crew can quickly be counted.
Airborne Data Node
All of the data generated by the sensor package requires a high bandwidth connection with the forward operating base. Data bandwidth is the limiting factor for many unmanned systems. Recent upgrades to the military data and communication systems are the backbone of these new ISR capabilities.
The data stream can be reused for communications relay for a wide variety of systems. In this mode the drone acts like a repeater for line of sight and out of site traffic.
Another aspect of the system is integration of ship data via AIS monitoring.
AIS gives a real time picture of maritime traffic while high lighting those vessels who have turned off AIS since that is a tactic of both pirates and smugglers alike.
Overall this is a collection of existing technologies packaged for a specific and neglected mission. The reuse of existing platforms makes the Triton less expensive than a dedicated design while still bringing a stout ISR ability to the agencies tasked with protecting national interests and the commercial fleet.
Robert Johnson|Oct. 15, 2012, 7:27 PM|16,399|6 While visiting the Persian Gulf last month for an international mine clearing exercise it was mentioned that the whole area was under constant surveillance by a Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) drone.
The BAMS offers a 360-degree scanning ability with an Automatic Identification System that clocks and catalog's all surface vessels from 60,000 feet.
If the BAMS truly is flying above the Gulf it's early, not having been pegged for regular duty until 2015, but that's what I heard.
In addition to the high altitude scanning, the USS Ponce also uses the Scan Eagle drone system that can zoom in on individuals in small boats from several thousand feet in the air.
Its my understanding there two of the drones over the gulf and that the US has 70,000 full or part time people interpreting data from drones world wide.
Read more: The MQ-C4 drone's capabilities from a Northrop Grumman presentation - Business Insider
MQ-4C BAMS Triton Specs:
Wingspan - 130.9 feet (39.9 meters)
Length - 47.6 feet (14.5 meters)
Height - 15.3 feet (4.7 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight - 32,250 pounds (14,628.4 kilograms)
Maximum Range - 9,950 nautical miles (18,427 kilometers)
Maximum Speed - 310 KTS (357 MPH)
Maximum Operating Altitude - 60,000 feet (18,288 meters)
BAMS Drone Mission
This is the first long duration drone to specifically focus on the maritime environment.
With a mission duration of thirty hours the crew of four ground based operators will hand off operations several times while the platform remains on station.
In addition to those operators who fly the aircraft there are others who monitor the real time sensor data captured by the BAMS itself.
BAMS stands for Broad Area Maritime Surveillance and they do mean broad. According to the Navy the aircraft can survey more than 2.7 million square miles (4.35 million Sq KM) per mission.
A wide variety of data can be collected by the sensor package. The most specialized component is the maritime radar system.
Maritime Radar
Maritime radars are notorious for persistent background noise from surface reflections. Vessels of interest might only measure a few feet taller than the height of waves in some situations. Additionally wind and spray can be detrimental to images from radars used for land operations.
Land based radar has a longer wavelength because surrounding terrain is widely variable in it's reflectivity. The maritime environment has much less variability so a shorter wavelength is generally used to achieve better penetration of the target area.
The tradeoff for using a shorter wavelength is less resolution overall but with much less susceptibility to reflective noise.
To make up for lack of definition there is a type of electronic focusing system for radar called synthetic aperture radar or SAR.
SAR will allow a narrowed field of view for the radar without loss of definition. It's similar to zooming in on an electronic image but without seeing the pixel blur associated with strong magnification.
When searching for asymmetrical threats, like pirate skiffs or small smuggling boats, the system must recognize small wooden vessels with minimal radar reflection.
Electro-Optical Imaging
The optical portion of the sensor package is more traditional like other UAV's. Image recognition algorithms do much of the automated work of searching with human intervention only when necessary.
Infrared sensors are also part of this package and are very valuable because of the even temperature of most surface waters. Even small objects like a overboard sailor are very apparent. Search and rescue has made great use of this technology which takes advantage of temperature differences to highlight targets.
Infrared can also give excellent data for the main mission of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). A vessel with a warm engine is easily identified among others and on deck crew can quickly be counted.
Airborne Data Node
All of the data generated by the sensor package requires a high bandwidth connection with the forward operating base. Data bandwidth is the limiting factor for many unmanned systems. Recent upgrades to the military data and communication systems are the backbone of these new ISR capabilities.
The data stream can be reused for communications relay for a wide variety of systems. In this mode the drone acts like a repeater for line of sight and out of site traffic.
Another aspect of the system is integration of ship data via AIS monitoring.
AIS gives a real time picture of maritime traffic while high lighting those vessels who have turned off AIS since that is a tactic of both pirates and smugglers alike.
Overall this is a collection of existing technologies packaged for a specific and neglected mission. The reuse of existing platforms makes the Triton less expensive than a dedicated design while still bringing a stout ISR ability to the agencies tasked with protecting national interests and the commercial fleet.
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Japan to develop missile-detecting drone
Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China's military buildup, a report said on Sunday.
The defence ministry has demanded 3 billion yen ($372 million) over the next four years to develop the aircraft, which would come into operation in 2020, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported without citing sources.
The development of the drone, which will be equipped with an infrared sensor to seek out low-altitude missiles, comes after Japan failed to detect North Korea's failed rocket launch in April.
The launch, described by Pyongyang as an attempt go put a satellite into orbit but condemned by world leaders as a disguised ballistic missile test, saw the rocket disintegrate over the Yellow Sea just two minutes after launch.
But Japan was forced to rely on information from the United States and media reports after its own detection systems failed.
Japanese officials later said its alert system could not detect the rocket because of its low-altitude flight path.
Japan is also embroiled in a tense territorial dispute with China over a group of islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and Diaoyus in China.
Chinese vessels have moved in and out of what Japan says is its sovereign territory over the last two months, with six Chinese government ships sailing into the Japanese-controlled waters on Friday and four cruising into the same area on Sunday, according to the Japanese coastguard.
Japan to develop missile-detecting drone: report | Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China's military buildup, a report said on Sunday.
The defence ministry has demanded 3 billion yen ($372 million) over the next four years to develop the aircraft, which would come into operation in 2020, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported without citing sources.
The development of the drone, which will be equipped with an infrared sensor to seek out low-altitude missiles, comes after Japan failed to detect North Korea's failed rocket launch in April.
The launch, described by Pyongyang as an attempt go put a satellite into orbit but condemned by world leaders as a disguised ballistic missile test, saw the rocket disintegrate over the Yellow Sea just two minutes after launch.
But Japan was forced to rely on information from the United States and media reports after its own detection systems failed.
Japanese officials later said its alert system could not detect the rocket because of its low-altitude flight path.
Japan is also embroiled in a tense territorial dispute with China over a group of islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and Diaoyus in China.
Chinese vessels have moved in and out of what Japan says is its sovereign territory over the last two months, with six Chinese government ships sailing into the Japanese-controlled waters on Friday and four cruising into the same area on Sunday, according to the Japanese coastguard.
Japan to develop missile-detecting drone: report | Radio Netherlands Worldwide
LETHALFORCE
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Japan to develop missile-detecting drone: report
Japan to develop missile-detecting drone
Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China's military buildup, a report said Sunday.
Japan to develop missile-detecting drone
Japan is planning to develop an unmanned drone that could help detect a North Korean nuclear missile attack and to counter China's military buildup, a report said Sunday.
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Boeing's Flexible Flyer: Unmanned Little Bird
[video=youtube_share;undX_rxY-dQ]http://youtu.be/undX_rxY-dQ[/video]
[video=youtube_share;undX_rxY-dQ]http://youtu.be/undX_rxY-dQ[/video]
H.A.
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Raytheon-led team to continue development of UAV-based hyperspectral sensor to find hidden objects like IEDs
Multispectral sensors designers at the Raytheon Co. Network Centric Systems segment in McKinney, Texas, will move ahead with developing a new sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) able to see objects on the ground not visible to the human eye, such as hidden roadside bombs or illicit opium crops by detecting their spectral signatures.
Officials of the Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced plans this week to award a sole-source contract to Raytheon to continue development and support of the Airborne Cueing and Exploitation System-Hyperspectral, otherwise known as ACES-Hy.
The hyperspectral sensors contract, which will be from 2012 to 2016, is for ACES-Hy engineering development, integration onto the MQ-1 Predator medium-endurance UAV, testing, sensor procurement, training, and field maintenance.
The ACES-Hy hyperspectral sensor, can detect light across the electromagnetic spectrum to enable military surveillance experts to detect the composition of specific objects based on their spectral signatures. It is particularly effective at detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by its ability to detect disturbed dirt.
Hyperspectral imaging collects and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum, unlike the human eye, which sees visible light in only three bands: red, green, and blue. Hyperspectral sensors divide the spectrum into many more bands, and includes non-visible spectra.
Air Force officials asked for approval to award a sole-source contract to Raytheon for continued ACES-Hy development in a justification-and-approval announcement (FA8620-12-G-4000-S0003) Tuesday. A dollar value of the contract has not been released.
Officials say they will ask Raytheon not only to continue with ACES-Hy sensor development, but also to qualify the ACES-Hy sensor processing subsystem.
Raytheon is prime systems integrator for ACES-Hy program, and leads team members L3 Integrated Optical Systems and ITT Exelis Space Computer Corp. The Air Force awarded a $2.1 million contract to ITT Exelis Space Computer in Los Angeles last month to upgrade ACES-Hy sensor processor. ITT Exelis in McLean, Va., acquired Space Computer last July.
ACES Hy detects optical bands the near-visible to the midwave infrared spectrum, which makes it suitable for deciphering camouflage and aerosols that might emanate from bomb-making locations.
Space Computer specializes in advanced sensor processing, with an emphasis in hyperspectral sensor data. Company experts have developed real-time and off-line hyperspectral processing tools to help evaluate advanced sensor system data. ITT Exelis Space Computer provides algorithms, real-time processor hardware, system integration, custom applications, sensor system data analysis, and field support.
More information on the upcoming contract is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ASC/FA8620-12-G-4000-S0003/listing.html.
For additional information contact Raytheon Network Centric Systems online at
Raytheon Company: Network Centric Systems, ITT Exelis Space Computer Corp. at www.spacecomputer.com, or the Air Force ASC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base - ASC.
Raytheon-led team to continue development of UAV-based hyperspectral sensor to find hidden objects like IEDs - Military & Aerospace Electronics
Multispectral sensors designers at the Raytheon Co. Network Centric Systems segment in McKinney, Texas, will move ahead with developing a new sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) able to see objects on the ground not visible to the human eye, such as hidden roadside bombs or illicit opium crops by detecting their spectral signatures.
Officials of the Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced plans this week to award a sole-source contract to Raytheon to continue development and support of the Airborne Cueing and Exploitation System-Hyperspectral, otherwise known as ACES-Hy.
The hyperspectral sensors contract, which will be from 2012 to 2016, is for ACES-Hy engineering development, integration onto the MQ-1 Predator medium-endurance UAV, testing, sensor procurement, training, and field maintenance.
The ACES-Hy hyperspectral sensor, can detect light across the electromagnetic spectrum to enable military surveillance experts to detect the composition of specific objects based on their spectral signatures. It is particularly effective at detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by its ability to detect disturbed dirt.
Hyperspectral imaging collects and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum, unlike the human eye, which sees visible light in only three bands: red, green, and blue. Hyperspectral sensors divide the spectrum into many more bands, and includes non-visible spectra.
Air Force officials asked for approval to award a sole-source contract to Raytheon for continued ACES-Hy development in a justification-and-approval announcement (FA8620-12-G-4000-S0003) Tuesday. A dollar value of the contract has not been released.
Officials say they will ask Raytheon not only to continue with ACES-Hy sensor development, but also to qualify the ACES-Hy sensor processing subsystem.
Raytheon is prime systems integrator for ACES-Hy program, and leads team members L3 Integrated Optical Systems and ITT Exelis Space Computer Corp. The Air Force awarded a $2.1 million contract to ITT Exelis Space Computer in Los Angeles last month to upgrade ACES-Hy sensor processor. ITT Exelis in McLean, Va., acquired Space Computer last July.
ACES Hy detects optical bands the near-visible to the midwave infrared spectrum, which makes it suitable for deciphering camouflage and aerosols that might emanate from bomb-making locations.
Space Computer specializes in advanced sensor processing, with an emphasis in hyperspectral sensor data. Company experts have developed real-time and off-line hyperspectral processing tools to help evaluate advanced sensor system data. ITT Exelis Space Computer provides algorithms, real-time processor hardware, system integration, custom applications, sensor system data analysis, and field support.
More information on the upcoming contract is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ASC/FA8620-12-G-4000-S0003/listing.html.
For additional information contact Raytheon Network Centric Systems online at
Raytheon Company: Network Centric Systems, ITT Exelis Space Computer Corp. at www.spacecomputer.com, or the Air Force ASC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base - ASC.
Raytheon-led team to continue development of UAV-based hyperspectral sensor to find hidden objects like IEDs - Military & Aerospace Electronics
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Carrier-bound X-47B drone passes remote-control test
On dry land, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy show that they can use a handheld controller to maneuver the drone as if around the tight quarters of an aircraft carrier.
The X-47B during remote-control tests in November 2012.
(Credit: Northrop Grumman)
How do you drive a jet-powered drone around the deck of an aircraft carrier? If you've ever guided a remote-control toy car around your kitchen floor, you'll have an idea.
Northrop Grumman said today that it has done its first shore-based tests of a wireless handheld controller that can steer its X-47B unmanned aerial vehicle, a key step toward getting the UAV ready for flight tests on an aircraft carrier in 2013.
In the trial run, which took place earlier this month, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy used the project's Control Display Unit to roll the X-47B forward and to stop it, to execute tight turns, to maneuver it into a catapult and out of a landing area, and to control engine thrust. The overriding goal is to be able to scoot the drone -- also known as the Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator -- safely around the crowded confines of the carrier's flight deck, without disrupting its normal, busy rhythms.
Carrier-bound X-47B drone passes remote-control test
On dry land, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy show that they can use a handheld controller to maneuver the drone as if around the tight quarters of an aircraft carrier.
Jonathan Skillings
by Jonathan Skillings
November 15, 2012 1:52 PM PST
X-47B
The X-47B during remote-control tests in November 2012.
(Credit: Northrop Grumman)
How do you drive a jet-powered drone around the deck of an aircraft carrier? If you've ever guided a remote-control toy car around your kitchen floor, you'll have an idea.
Northrop Grumman said today that it has done its first shore-based tests of a wireless handheld controller that can steer its X-47B unmanned aerial vehicle, a key step toward getting the UAV ready for flight tests on an aircraft carrier in 2013.
In the trial run, which took place earlier this month, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy used the project's Control Display Unit to roll the X-47B forward and to stop it, to execute tight turns, to maneuver it into a catapult and out of a landing area, and to control engine thrust. The overriding goal is to be able to scoot the drone -- also known as the Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator -- safely around the crowded confines of the carrier's flight deck, without disrupting its normal, busy rhythms.
"Instead of towing the aircraft out to the flight line, we can now start the X-47B outside its hangar, then use the CDU to taxi it out to the runway, or into a catapult for launch," Daryl Martis, Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D test director, said in a statement. "Use of the CDU is the most time-efficient way to move the X-47B into the catapult or disengage it from the arresting gear after landing."
The wingspan of the tailless X-47B is 62 feet -- and just half of that if the wings are folded up for storage on a carrier -- and the length is 38 feet front to back, with twin internal weapons bays. The aircraft is designed to fly up to about 40,000 feet, with a range of 2,100 nautical miles. Northrop Grumman refers to it as "strike fighter-sized," which may give you a sense of the drone's eventual mission.
The X-47B will get a catapult tryout on dry land later this month, and sometime after that it will be lifted aboard an actual carrier, where the CDU will get a more real-life flight deck runaround.
The Navy and Northrop Grumman have a pair of X-47B prototype aircraft, now based in Maryland at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, that they've been putting through the early paces for a couple of years now. The UCAS project aims to achieve two firsts: autonomous carrier-based operations for a jet-powered unmanned aircraft, and autonomous aerial refueling (the latter planned for 2014).
The first-ever flight of an X-47B took place in early February 2011 at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
A closeup of the X-47B Control Display Unit in action.
(Credit: Northrop Grumman)
[video=youtube_share;XTVNIVjMDhM]http://youtu.be/XTVNIVjMDhM[/video]
Carrier-bound X-47B drone passes remote-control test | Cutting Edge - CNET News
On dry land, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy show that they can use a handheld controller to maneuver the drone as if around the tight quarters of an aircraft carrier.
The X-47B during remote-control tests in November 2012.
(Credit: Northrop Grumman)
How do you drive a jet-powered drone around the deck of an aircraft carrier? If you've ever guided a remote-control toy car around your kitchen floor, you'll have an idea.
Northrop Grumman said today that it has done its first shore-based tests of a wireless handheld controller that can steer its X-47B unmanned aerial vehicle, a key step toward getting the UAV ready for flight tests on an aircraft carrier in 2013.
In the trial run, which took place earlier this month, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy used the project's Control Display Unit to roll the X-47B forward and to stop it, to execute tight turns, to maneuver it into a catapult and out of a landing area, and to control engine thrust. The overriding goal is to be able to scoot the drone -- also known as the Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator -- safely around the crowded confines of the carrier's flight deck, without disrupting its normal, busy rhythms.
Carrier-bound X-47B drone passes remote-control test
On dry land, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy show that they can use a handheld controller to maneuver the drone as if around the tight quarters of an aircraft carrier.
Jonathan Skillings
by Jonathan Skillings
November 15, 2012 1:52 PM PST
X-47B
The X-47B during remote-control tests in November 2012.
(Credit: Northrop Grumman)
How do you drive a jet-powered drone around the deck of an aircraft carrier? If you've ever guided a remote-control toy car around your kitchen floor, you'll have an idea.
Northrop Grumman said today that it has done its first shore-based tests of a wireless handheld controller that can steer its X-47B unmanned aerial vehicle, a key step toward getting the UAV ready for flight tests on an aircraft carrier in 2013.
In the trial run, which took place earlier this month, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy used the project's Control Display Unit to roll the X-47B forward and to stop it, to execute tight turns, to maneuver it into a catapult and out of a landing area, and to control engine thrust. The overriding goal is to be able to scoot the drone -- also known as the Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator -- safely around the crowded confines of the carrier's flight deck, without disrupting its normal, busy rhythms.
"Instead of towing the aircraft out to the flight line, we can now start the X-47B outside its hangar, then use the CDU to taxi it out to the runway, or into a catapult for launch," Daryl Martis, Northrop Grumman's UCAS-D test director, said in a statement. "Use of the CDU is the most time-efficient way to move the X-47B into the catapult or disengage it from the arresting gear after landing."
The wingspan of the tailless X-47B is 62 feet -- and just half of that if the wings are folded up for storage on a carrier -- and the length is 38 feet front to back, with twin internal weapons bays. The aircraft is designed to fly up to about 40,000 feet, with a range of 2,100 nautical miles. Northrop Grumman refers to it as "strike fighter-sized," which may give you a sense of the drone's eventual mission.
The X-47B will get a catapult tryout on dry land later this month, and sometime after that it will be lifted aboard an actual carrier, where the CDU will get a more real-life flight deck runaround.
The Navy and Northrop Grumman have a pair of X-47B prototype aircraft, now based in Maryland at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, that they've been putting through the early paces for a couple of years now. The UCAS project aims to achieve two firsts: autonomous carrier-based operations for a jet-powered unmanned aircraft, and autonomous aerial refueling (the latter planned for 2014).
The first-ever flight of an X-47B took place in early February 2011 at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
A closeup of the X-47B Control Display Unit in action.
(Credit: Northrop Grumman)
[video=youtube_share;XTVNIVjMDhM]http://youtu.be/XTVNIVjMDhM[/video]
Carrier-bound X-47B drone passes remote-control test | Cutting Edge - CNET News
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Lockheed Martin Acquires Stealth UAS Pioneer Chandler/May
The Fury 1500 UAV. Photo: Chandler/May
Lockheed Martin today announced the acquisition of Chandler/May, Inc., a developer and producer of specialized unmanned aerial vehicle systems. The company also developed and produced fully integrated mission critical systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). As a subcontractor to AAI, Chandler/May has delivered hundreds of integrated command and control shelters and portable ground control stations in support of U.S. Army UAS programs. They also produced over 2,200 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the Desert Hawk UAV, a program for which Chandler/May, Inc. is a supplier to Lockheed Martin. Another system developed by Chandler/May is the 'stealthy looking' Fury flying wing UAV, the SharkFin Mission & Flight Control System and Tactical Air Vehicle Control System (TACS) ground control station.
Lockheed Martin has two main operating divisions focusing on UAS – the Skunk Works, focused on black programs and rapid prototyping and Mission Systems & Sensors (MS2). Officially, Chandler/May will become will become part of MS2 business, 'a division that has already acquired experience with other unmanned systems, including the K-MAX unmanned helicopter, Desert Hawk UAV, and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) aerostats', the corporate announcement said. MS2 is also managing the activities of Procerus, UAS avionics specialist acquired in January 2012.
"This acquisition expands our offerings in support of our customers' increased emphasis on advanced unmanned systems for the C4ISR missions," said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO. "This acquisition is consistent with our goal to maintain a portfolio of technologically advanced options that will generate value for both our customers and our shareholders."
Chandler/May, Inc. is a privately owned company currently operating from Huntsville, Ala, and San Luis Obispo, Calif. "Joining Lockheed Martin is a logical step to expand our current offerings and provides opportunities to reach additional customers." Jesse May, Chandler/May, Inc. President said. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed and are not material to Lockheed Martin's results of operations.
The Fury 1500 UAV. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
Lockheed Martin Acquires Stealth UAS Pioneer Chandler/May | Defense Update - Military Technology & Defense News
The Fury 1500 UAV. Photo: Chandler/May
Lockheed Martin today announced the acquisition of Chandler/May, Inc., a developer and producer of specialized unmanned aerial vehicle systems. The company also developed and produced fully integrated mission critical systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). As a subcontractor to AAI, Chandler/May has delivered hundreds of integrated command and control shelters and portable ground control stations in support of U.S. Army UAS programs. They also produced over 2,200 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the Desert Hawk UAV, a program for which Chandler/May, Inc. is a supplier to Lockheed Martin. Another system developed by Chandler/May is the 'stealthy looking' Fury flying wing UAV, the SharkFin Mission & Flight Control System and Tactical Air Vehicle Control System (TACS) ground control station.
Lockheed Martin has two main operating divisions focusing on UAS – the Skunk Works, focused on black programs and rapid prototyping and Mission Systems & Sensors (MS2). Officially, Chandler/May will become will become part of MS2 business, 'a division that has already acquired experience with other unmanned systems, including the K-MAX unmanned helicopter, Desert Hawk UAV, and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) aerostats', the corporate announcement said. MS2 is also managing the activities of Procerus, UAS avionics specialist acquired in January 2012.
"This acquisition expands our offerings in support of our customers' increased emphasis on advanced unmanned systems for the C4ISR missions," said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO. "This acquisition is consistent with our goal to maintain a portfolio of technologically advanced options that will generate value for both our customers and our shareholders."
Chandler/May, Inc. is a privately owned company currently operating from Huntsville, Ala, and San Luis Obispo, Calif. "Joining Lockheed Martin is a logical step to expand our current offerings and provides opportunities to reach additional customers." Jesse May, Chandler/May, Inc. President said. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed and are not material to Lockheed Martin's results of operations.
The Fury 1500 UAV. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
Lockheed Martin Acquires Stealth UAS Pioneer Chandler/May | Defense Update - Military Technology & Defense News
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X-47B Readies for Carrying Testing
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(Nov. 26, 2012) - The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator is hoisted aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft. The Navy plans to conduct X-47B carrier deck handling tests aboard Harry S. Truman. (U.S. Navy photo by Alan Radecki/Released)
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The era of the Terminators has arrived...
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[video=youtube_share;sP3BaiigImg]http://youtu.be/sP3BaiigImg[/video] 
NORFOLK (Nov. 26, 2012) U.S. Navy Sailors assist with the onload of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The air vehicle arrived by barge from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Truman is the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft. The Navy plans to conduct X-47B carrier deck handling tests aboard the ship. (U.S. Navy Video/Released)
NORFOLK (Nov. 26, 2012) U.S. Navy Sailors assist with the onload of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The air vehicle arrived by barge from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Truman is the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft. The Navy plans to conduct X-47B carrier deck handling tests aboard the ship. (U.S. Navy Video/Released)
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N-UCAS Takes First Catapult Shot
by WARD CARROLL on NOVEMBER 30, 2012
Defencetech
The X-47B successfully completed it's first shore-based tests of whether the aircraft is structurally sound and aeromechanically capable of getting airborne using the U.S. Navy's current steam catapult system. The drone cat shot took place at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Southern Maryland.
"The X-47B shore-based catapult launch we witnessed here today will leave a mark in history," said Vice Adm. David Dunaway, NAVAIR commander. "We are working toward the future integration of unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck, something we didn't envision 60 years ago when the steam catapult was first built here."
Here's a video of what the Navy called "the start of a new era for Naval Aviation":
This milestone follows another X-47 event we reported on earlier this week where one of the drones was hoisted aboard the USS Truman for basic shipboard suitability testing ahead of full-up sea trials in a few weeks.
So were the aviators at the nearby Naval Test Pilot School looking out the windows of their classrooms wondering if this "new era" would leave them with nothing to do once they finished the rigorous curriculum there? Were the helo guys hooting on the fixed wing jet boys telling them that they weren't the only ones getting replaced by robots?
And, most importantly, will this plot line get worked into the screenplay for "Top Gun 2," that reportedly is going to be set at NAS Pax River? (You know, stuff like engineers arguing over sine waves and fatigue life. Action-packed, Pee Wee!)
We'll keep you posted as the Invasion of the Machines continues "¦
Read more: http://defensetech.org/2012/11/30/n-ucas-takes-first-cat-shot/#ixzz2DqRu3dQf
Defense.org
by WARD CARROLL on NOVEMBER 30, 2012
Defencetech
The X-47B successfully completed it's first shore-based tests of whether the aircraft is structurally sound and aeromechanically capable of getting airborne using the U.S. Navy's current steam catapult system. The drone cat shot took place at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Southern Maryland.
"The X-47B shore-based catapult launch we witnessed here today will leave a mark in history," said Vice Adm. David Dunaway, NAVAIR commander. "We are working toward the future integration of unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck, something we didn't envision 60 years ago when the steam catapult was first built here."
Here's a video of what the Navy called "the start of a new era for Naval Aviation":
This milestone follows another X-47 event we reported on earlier this week where one of the drones was hoisted aboard the USS Truman for basic shipboard suitability testing ahead of full-up sea trials in a few weeks.
So were the aviators at the nearby Naval Test Pilot School looking out the windows of their classrooms wondering if this "new era" would leave them with nothing to do once they finished the rigorous curriculum there? Were the helo guys hooting on the fixed wing jet boys telling them that they weren't the only ones getting replaced by robots?
And, most importantly, will this plot line get worked into the screenplay for "Top Gun 2," that reportedly is going to be set at NAS Pax River? (You know, stuff like engineers arguing over sine waves and fatigue life. Action-packed, Pee Wee!)
We'll keep you posted as the Invasion of the Machines continues "¦
Read more: http://defensetech.org/2012/11/30/n-ucas-takes-first-cat-shot/#ixzz2DqRu3dQf
Defense.org
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LETHALFORCE
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First Catapult Launch of X-47B Unmanned Aircraft Launched
First Catapult Launch of X-47B Unmanned Aircraft Launched
First Catapult Launch of X-47B Unmanned Aircraft Launched
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